And in true rock style, a frisson of transgression was expected: Ertegun's widow, Mica, was reported to have invited three of his mistresses. Ertegun, who nurtured the careers of many of rock's biggest names, died from brain injuries after a fall backstage at a Rolling Stones concert in October. Inspired by seeing a concert by jazz singer Cab Calloway, the Turkish immigrant launched Atlantic Records in 1947 with the help of a $10,000 loan from the family dentist.
The label recorded early success with R B artists such as Big Joe Turner and Ruth Brown, before crossing into a wider market in the late 1950s with artists such as Ray Charles and crooner Bobby Darin. In the 1960s Ertegun and Atlantic offered a US home to British acts including the Stones, Led Zeppelin and Dusty Springfield. US acts included the Allman Brothers, Buffalo Springfield, Stevie Nicks and Roberta Flack.
Although Atlantic was swamped by the corporate mergers that defined the recording industry from the late 1960s, Ertegun retained his influence and his independence.
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